oS - Elementary where | was act- _ Advisory Council. ‘ school’s accreditation pro- Candidates for thé seven school trustee seats (twa for one seat in Thornhill, five for three school trustee seats in Terrace) were invited to submit Statements on what they will do if they're elected. Candidates for Thornhill trustee seat LORRIE GOWEN Age dl. Nominated by: Lynn Smith and Jill Girodat Activities: Involved with the Parent Advisory Councils at Thornhill Primary and Thornhill Ele- mentary schools Occupation: Works as a program assistant in Continuing Education for NWCC and SFU Been here: Since 1992 Lives at: 5195 Gossen Creek Road Family: Married with two children Statement: My name is Lorrie Gowen. ] currently work with Northwest Community College in Continuing Education and as well , with Siman Fraser University’s teacher education program here in the north. I’ve lived for the past.10. years in Gossen Creek with my husband, daughter and son. ’ ~My children began their schoal lives at a wonderful school, Copper Mountain ively involved in the Parent { also had the great oppor- unity to.be involved in the cess where parents, teachers, and principal, working toge- ther, developed a five-year goal plan for the school. Not even a year later, to my disbelief, Copper Mountain was closed as one of the responses to deal with the school board’s budget deficit. Lorrie Gowen My daughter now sits in one of the many . “districL average” sized classrooms with 30 other children. “ This government’s current funding formula does not ensure good education; it increases class sizes, provides no money for resources, the number of educational assistants in the class- | rooms has been reduced. All teachers, children, and families are being affected in adverse ways. The B.C. Education Mission Statement says, “The purpose is to en- able ali learners to develop their individual po- tential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to healthy, demo- cratic and pluralistic society.” As a ttustee, I will always question the board - did we uphold the values behind this state- ment? Have we made the best decision for our children? This is my promise ta voters. GARY TURNER Age: 54 Nominated by: Fred and Donna Krebs Occupation: Scaler/weigh master ‘ Activities: Terrace Minor Softball president (five years), coach (15 years), Thornhill Junior Secondary basketball and volleyball coach, school board liaison to the northern winter games. Been here: 54 years Lives at: Lot 27 Kleanza Drive, Terrace Family: Married with two adult children Statement: -After nine years on the school board, people ask me why } want to run again. When I started on the board nine years ago, this school district was on the leading edge of technology. We had small class sizes and we ‘hada large band program. In the fast six years the main thing that has occupied our time is bud- gel, budget, and more budget. [ think it’s time we ‘turned our attention and resources back into helping the students to do better in the class- room. To do this we have to take every student in the system who has problems and decide whether the pro- blem is with the education system or with the student. Many students make the de- cision not to succeed in the classroom, by not doing their homework, not doing the as- signments or doing the as- signments but not handing them in. For the students who do want to succeed we must make every: effort to help them through the system. Gary Turner The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, Novernber 13, 2002 - A5 even for — school board Meet the local candidates for school trustee seats In closing I would like to say that if the minister of education wants to make the boards. accountable for education, then she also has to make her department account- able, as well as the parents and students for their actions in the system. Candidates for the three Terrace trustee seats NICOLE BINGHAM Age: 30 Nominated by: Diane Collins and Shirley Bolan Occupation: Health Coordinator, Kitsumka- lum Health Services Activities: (sce candidate statement below) Been here: 15 years Lives at: 86 Gyiik Road Family: Martied with three children Statement: My family moved to the Terrace area 15 years ago. I completed Grade 12 at Caledonia Senior Secondary. After post secondary training, | moved my fa- mily to Prince George to gain work experience. | _ was employed by Health Canada as a Commun- ity Services Coordinator for five years. This posi- tion was focused on negotiations and budgeting for communities. Once my children were old enough to enter the school system, 1 returned to Terrace. Since returning to my home community of Kitsumkalum, I have sat on many committees among which are, Putting Children First Learn- ing Initiative and Northwest Inter Nation Family and Child Services Board as well as many other health and education-focused committees. 1 belong to the Terrace Christian Reformed Church. My hobbies include, hiking, sewing, fishing and garden- ing. I have a great deal of exper- ience working with budgets the funding formula for the school district is inadequate and requires changing. 2 Mee The first step to financial ; accountability is to under- Nicole stand the budgeting process Bingham inside and oul. . step.is a timely communica- tion strategy that involves those that are going to be impacted by decisions. [ am a committed hard working focused indi- vidual with proven track record in management. I am running for school district trustee. because [ believe change and innovation are required to provide quality education for all children in Coast Mountains School District 82. MIKE MAXIM Age: 47 Nominated by: Thomas Turner and Yvonne Danroth Occupation: Self employed carpenter/builder, MXMTECH Service Industries Activities: Kickstart Association of Busines- ses Concerned for the Development of Education. (Kickstart ABCDE) Been here: Since 1982 in Terrace, 1978 to 1982 in Nass Camp Lives at: 3933 Old Lakelse Lake Drive Family: Two children, one graduated, one in the school system. Statement: I promise: 1. To represent the educational needs of our community. 2. To represent the educational needs of our children, 3. To consult with the businesses which em- ploy people in our community to find out which skills are needed the most. 4. To empower the parents who have ideas for “owner. The name of my and formula funding. 1 feel - The ‘second, the type of skills they want their children to learn. >. To push for programs that provide our. child. ren with the skills needed to get jobs-in our own area. I believe that the most important factor in education is whether the student reaches out for knowledge of his or her own - accord. I belicve that the most important function of our educational system is to in- spire a hunger for knowledge |; in our children. 4 ' T believe thal self-esteem } is a product. of pride in achieving goals that are not easy to attain. My name is Mike Maxim. I am 47 years old and I ama self-employed business Mike Maxim company is MXMTECH Ser- vice Industries. | have one child graduated and one still in Grade 9. I have no family employed by the school district, nor any other personal or business interests dependent on the school dis- trict. My decision to run for School Board Trustee is not a hasty one. [ have held this: ambition for many years. DIANA PENNER Age: 46 Nominated .by: Henry Penner and Tina Brouwer Occupation: Full-time student at Northwest Community College (Business Admin) ° Activities: Volunteer at Terraceview Lodge, Student representative on the NWCC board of governors. Been here: 37 years Lives at: 5418 Hepple Rd. Family: Married with two teenagers Statement: It has been an honour to serve as a trustee for School District 82 for the past three years. In the short time that I have.served | am impressed by the calibre of excellence found in our schools each day. The staff of SD #82 are to be commen- ded for their professional conduct and for the en- . thusiasm they bring -to the culture of our schools. From the principal to the,noon hour duty, we are! ' tere fortunate to have a dedicated team to mentor to our students. Yes, there are flaws. ‘Flaws in the system and § sometimes flaws in those of us who participate in the system. But flaws are repait- able. The question in every- .one’s mind these days is: do we have the money for the repair? It looks like not. We’re having a hard time just holding the system toge- ther right now — repairs are not up for discussion. I am seeking re-election in order to maintain continuity tothe board and to see our district through a hard time. I can't lose. If I win, I get to fight for every dollar it'll take to keep our schools functional. If I lose, I get to sit back and pray while someone else fights for public education. 1’m leaving it in God's hands. When it comes down to it, I haven’t conquered a single ‘problem in my life without God’s help ~ I’m not about to leave Him ‘out of this one. PAUL SAMETZ . Age: 50 Nominated by: Jennifer Lewis and Ed Moore Occupation: Computer Systems Administra- tor / Graphic Designer Activities: Terrace Little Theatre, Terrace Concert Band and Big Band, Dare to Dream Diana Penner , order of the day; teachers are Foundation. Been here: Since Sept, 3, 2002. Former resi- dent of Kelowna, Prince Rupert and Queen Char- lotte City. , Lives at: 2511 Skeena Street Family: Married Statement: Since 'm the new kid on the » block, 1 am going to avoid the “Hot Button. Issues” that the news media have identified. Instead | will tell you briefly who | am and why you should voie for me. I'm a volunteer, and | have been giving my time freely lo my home towns since before my hair turned grey. [ have lived in larger cities, but 1 prefer small: towns, where | can make a differ- ence. “Tm new to Terrace, having arrived just before “the school year began. It's exciling to encounter new friends,-and I have bro- ken the ice with the Terrace Little - Theatre, Concert Band, and school-based groups such as the Dare to Dream ‘Foundation and the Canadian Parents for French, which my family has be- longed to for seven years. ! am involved here already. 1 accepted a nomination to run for the School Board because | enjoy a challenge. Paul L will succeed as a school Sametz trustee because of my personal qualities, not be- cause I am affiliated with a church or a society or a group or a team. My personal feelings do not come into it — this is a management position, and J will act accordingly. Healthy communilies elect politicians, they don’t appoint them by acclamation. If nobody votes for you, you don’t represent anyone. But | will represent the students and voters in Terrace, and I will be here for them. I'm Paul Sametz, the “new blood” in Terrace. Vote for me for a change. HAL STEDHAM Age: 60 Nominated by: Tim and Zizina Osbome Occupation: School principal in the Stikine SD 87 but plans to retire if re-clected. Activities: Coached basketball at the provin- cial level, sponsored student exchanges to the ‘Maritimes, took debating team to Kamloops and enjoyed a lead role in the Terrace Little Theatre production of Cruel Tears. Been here: Homeowner here for 11 years Lives at: 4633 Haugland Ave. Family: Married with three adult children Sty Statement: L have decided to run for Trustee again in Coast Mountain School District for the following reasons; ‘@ Now more than-ever we need strong indi- viduals that are willing to stand up and be coun- ted. Wf We need individuals capable of making in- _. formed ‘decisions; |.think my many years as a - parent, teacher, principal and my recent term 45 ‘itusteé qualify me in that regard. W As well as strong individuals, we need team players that -have the capability of uniting the board in consensus on important issues such as; other ways to save money rather than closing schools. @ With the devastating cuts to teaching. and CUPE positions, increased responsibilities and school closures morale is at an all-time low in the district; the district employees, including principals and board level administrators, need to know that their contribution and hard work is recognized and appreciated by the board. @ Accountability ‘is the expected to do more with less, contracts have been en- tered into to improve literacy § and numeracy. The board must “realize that it is not their job to decide on how these goals are to be achieved but to provide the best possible working environment for employecs io attain these goals. These are desperate times and desperate times require desperate measures. We have ex- pressed our lack of confidence in the current government but the worst thing we can deo is sit around and feel sorry for ourselves.We can make this one of the best districts in this province if we put aside cur personal agendas and work for the common good. Hal Stedham BOB ERB Age: 50. Nominated by: Charlie Smoley and Brian Belina. Occupation: Construction worker Activities: Working actively for changes in marijuana laws with the B.C, Marijuana Party. Formerly active with Terrace Bluebacks organi- zation and miriof baseball coach. Been here: 32 years ; Lives at: 3514 Dogwood Ave. Family: Two adult children - “Terrace property/business interest: Home . Statement: I’m running for mayor because of my love of _ Terrace/Thornhill and the scenic Skeena valley. ‘And seeing nothing significant done to promote - us as a scenic wonder of rugged coast mountains and fine fishing - a desirable location to hunt, camp, vacation and relire. Little has been done to encourage tourists and retirees to visit and revisit or to relocate here. Our tourist info centre and RV pullover area combined with the yellow painted hunk of steel is a disgrace. Compare us to smaller towns like ‘Hazelton, Smithers and Houston ~ which sport large. RV pullovers as well as 40-foot figurines and ‘large decdrative tourist info buildings well advertised in advance. -> Ferry Island is a great potential: tevenue source passed by all too often by RV and other road travellers. The same goes for our tourist info centre because of poor visibility and advertising. I'm saddened to see so many empty homes and vacant businesses here when other areas of B.C. experience housing and economic growth. Twenty years ago when we saw an Alberta-li- censed vehicle in Terrace some would mutter “darn Albertans taking our jobs.” Now seeing Alber- tan plates usually means , some former Terracite is | here visiting or checking their empty home. The mayor and most coun- cillors seem to take little pride in Terrac’'s role as a tegional capital and pro- mote it as such. ) They'd like to keep Ter- " Bob Erb youth, For these reasons and many more 1’m running. For more contact me at 635-1409, race as the sleepy little: logging town of their . mits to what we as a community can ‘do, it is vit- _ally.important this issue remains on “the front mayor JACK TALSTRA Age: 56 . Nominated by: Lillian Garcia and John Van De Velde Occupation: Lawyer Activities: mayor of Terrace, director Kitimat- Stikine Regional District Been here: Since 1953 Lives at: 3801 Spring Creek Drive Family:. Five grown children Terrace property/business interest: Talstra & Co. law firm, Five Star Properties (housing development off Spring Creek Drive), share of Almarlin Building. Statement: Tertace has been hard hit by the Skeena Cel- lulose mill closure and resulting downtum in log- ging activity. . Because of this, [ feel our first priority must involve the re-opeaing of SCI. While there are li- burner” until it is resolved, I believe-Cily Hall will always have a Tole to play in making our community attractive to new investment, That said, however, it is the provision of reli- able, affordable: municipal services that is the core business of any civic administration. I feel that simple “good government” is surely the most effective contribution we can make to- ward a robust local economy. Terrace is not over-burdened with debt. Current liabilities have been reduced to ap- proximately $3.36 million and include financing for older projects as well as for newer ones — street reconstruction and paving, and building of the Halliwell water reservoir. The city has over $21 million in unused bor- rowing power. — Revenues have fallen but city council and my- self have actively sought reductions in spending. As such, city finances are in good shape ~ and that, most certainly, cannot be said for every community in our region. I enjoy being your mayor and, while there are sig- nificant challenges ahead of us, IF know | have the experience, commitment and contacts necessary to do the job. I ask for your support on November 16. Jack Talstra \